Well done on getting to the stage of preparing for a PhD viva! Below is some guidance based on being involved in Law PhD vivas in the UK and Ireland.

There is some useful viva advice at

Make sure to take time before the viva to read the thesis a couple of  times, and try to get a good night’s rest in the run up to the viva.

Remember that the day is about you and your work so enjoy it! It is not that common  that you will get two people who have read everything you have written and want to spend time discussing it with you so enjoy!

Generally examiners are genuinely interested in the topic and want to have a discussion about interesting aspects of it. So the viva is a conversation about what you have to say about the topic you have spent years becoming an expert on.

I generally think that if they ask difficult questions then this is a good sign. I think if the examiners ask difficult questions it is because they think  you can answer and say something interesting.

The viva itself:  UK and Irish vivas usually have an external examiner, an internal examiner and possibly a chair. Some universities do not require a chair; some also provide the possibility to record the viva.  Universities also often permit one supervisor to attend the viva.

[Vivas or oral examinations in other traditions may be very different from the practice in the UK and Ireland.  Other European countries may have public vivas for instance, and the public may be invited to ask questions at the end. Sometimes this can be highly formalised with participants wearing academic robes.]

During a typical viva in the UK and Ireland, the examiners may start by asking you to do a short presentation on why you became interested in this topic and/or what you think the original contribution is, so have 5 minutes or so prepared on this. They might not ask for this but it is common as examiners try to ease you into the examination itself. However it is not an invariable rule so some examiners  may want to start with more probing questions.

Vivas typically last 1-2 hours but can last longer. If you need a comfort break at any time just ask for one; that is a reasonable request.

Usually, the external examiner will lead with questions with the internal contributing  from time to time. The chair will probably open the viva but not say much after that. The supervisor if present pretty much never speaks, but it is good to have someone there who can take notes for possible amendments.

Questions: the examiners will always want to know how the PhD is original, significant and rigorous. There are different ways examiners can ask about these issues. Be prepared for any or all of the following in one form or another:

  1. What were your aims and purposes? What is the ‘thesis of your thesis’? What is your research question? and what is your conclusion on that question or answer to that question? What is your argument?
  2. What does your thesis add to human knowledge? How does this differ from what XYZ have said? What implications flow from your argument?
  3. How did you establish your argument rigorously? What is your methodology? How robust is the methodology?

Examiners are entitled to go off on a tangent and often do. Do not be afraid to address them if they do and you feel you can – the examiners will be interested to hear your thoughts –  but also be prepared to bring them back to what you say you establish in your thesis. Always keep focused in your own mind on your understanding of what your own contribution/argument/purpose, research questions and methods are as they are your ‘go-to’ places.

Bring a copy of your thesis; you might find it useful to use post-its or  something so you can quickly find what you think are the most important parts. Examiners often ask questions starting like “on page 67 you say…” so a copy is essential. And similarly if you can remember where in the thesis you address a point you might want to refer the examiners to it. Sometimes examiners misunderstand or misremember a point so it can be helpful to refer to the thesis.

Be prepared to answer questions both in detail and also briefly. Examiners do not like a large number of short one sentence answers. They like to know the candidate has researched and thought extensively so they appreciate answers which demonstrate this.

At the same time, examiners do not like long meandering answers which do not answer the question. So be prepared to answer in detail, at length but also to sum up where necessary key messages in a sentence or two. It is a question of balance also – a viva of one sentence answers or very very long answers may not go down well. I like point 8 in the Guardian guide.

Try to remember the examiners are there to have a dialogue with you and listen to your thoughts. The worst vivas are where the candidate becomes defensive  – remember the examiners  are not out to ‘get’ you but to learn from you and have a genuine conversation. Try to set a tone of genuine interest and intellectual curiosity.

If they ask difficult questions this is a good sign – it means they think you are able to give interesting answers to them!

You you need to ask the examiners to clarify a question or simply to repeat it please do so. This is perfectly reasonable. Some examiners ask very long questions or multiple questions in one go so it is reasonable for you to seek clarity if you need it.

Do not feel you need to make notes of the questions. If it helps you to answer the questions that is fine. If the examiners expect any corrections or revisions or amendments they will provide guidance on that in writing. If your supervisor is there, the supervisor can make notes.

Once you get beyond the questions about original contribution, significance, rigour, it is not easy to predict questions; these will depend on the substance of the thesis and the interests of the examiners. There are some questions that examiners might use like ‘Were you surprised by anything in your research?’ ‘If you were doing the research again from scratch, what would you do differently?’.

At the end, the examiners and chair will confer in private and then call you back for a verbal decision (technically it is a recommendation to the university).

UK universities have a number of different viva results . The Ulster rules for example are:

10.6. For a submission for the degree of PhD the report of the Board of Examiners shall recommend:

a) that the degree should be awarded, or

b) that the degree should be awarded subject to minor corrections to the thesis being made, or to clarifications and/or enhancements being completed, to the satisfaction of the internal examiner within three months of the oral examination in accordance with the definition of ‘minor corrections’ as detailed in the Handbook for Examiners, or

c) that the degree should be awarded subject to corrections to the thesis being made to the satisfaction of the internal examiner within six months of the oral examination in accordance with the definition of ‘corrections’ as detailed in the Handbook for Examiners, or

d) that the candidate should revise and resubmit the thesis for the degree of PhD, or

e) that the candidate should revise and resubmit the thesis for the degree of MPhil, or

f) that the candidate should be awarded the degree of MPhil subject to the presentation of an amended thesis in accordance with the provisions for the presentation of a thesis for the degree of MPhil.

g) that the degree should not be awarded and no resubmission permitted

Of these, the most common by far are b,c,d.  In practice,  any of these usually mean you will get the PhD sooner or later and examiners usually provided very specific feedback as to any amendments or corrections required.

I sometimes get asked  ‘’How many details of how many authors would you recommend me to remember?’ I would not try to memorise details by heart, but you will be expected to know names and key influences. And you might be expected to discuss in some detail how your work relates to some of the major figures cited. I could imagine questions along the lines of which authors have most influenced the work, and perhaps more importantly how does your analysis add to or challenge the analysis of some of the key authors you cite writing in these fields.

I also sometimes get asked ‘ I have reviewed the literature included in the thesis and I have also read some new literature. How far should I go with this update? Is it common to be asked about new books-articles in the field?’

If something is very new ie post your submission then examiners might ask about it to hear your views but would not create problems if you have not had a chance to read a recent source. If you have and can discuss then that makes for a more interesting viva. But the focus will be on the research available when you were writing the thesis. It is not uncommon for examiners to suggest you might look at specific authors if you have not already.

Good, luck and remember: it is your day! These people have read every word in your thesis. ENJOY!